Cigarette case



March 26,1940. l I B A NEFF 2,194,983

CIGARETTE CASE Filed Aug. 4, 19.38

WINIWIIUWIHUWI radyAJYO-I; 10 JZ 6 Bv @mfg/www@ Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to cigarette cases, and its general object is to provide a case that is primarily designed for use by bathers, swimmers and the like, in that it is not only waterproof, but is held in closed position against casual opening or displacement of the parts, by latching means,

which when released will result in the case being automatically moved to open position, so that the contents thereof can be readily removed therefrom.

Another'object is to provide'a waterproof cigarette case that includes a lighter which is normally retained within the case when not in use, but is pivotally mounted for disposal in a position exteriorly thereof, to facilitate lighting cigarettes and the like,

A further object is to provide a cigarette case that can be conveniently carried on the person, in that it is relatively flat, and is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and eX- tremely etlicient in operation, use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the case which forms the subject matter of the present invention, with the same in closed position.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the case in open position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3 3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. i

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 4--4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the leak proof joint between the cover members of the case. .Y

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view illustrating one of the latches for the case.

Figure 7 isy a view partly in section illustratin a modified form of latch.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that I have illustrated my case as being substantially rectangular in shape, but it can be of any shape, suitable for the purpose. In any event, it includes a pair of complemental sections (Cl. 20G-41) that `are similar to each other in many respects, in that the sections are provided with cover members I` and 2 which are flat for the major portion of the area and have their marginal portions curved toward eachother to the same def gree. The marginal edge of the curved portion of the cover member I has formed thereon an inwardly directed cross sectional right angle flange to provide a shoulder 3 anda tongue 4, while the marginal edge of the curved portion of the cover member 2 has formed thereon an in-` wardly directed cross sectional right angle mem'- ber 5 extending inwardly therefrom for cooperation with the marginal edge thereof to provide a channel groove having xedtherein a grooved gasket formed from rubber or other material suitable for the purpose,4 and the groove of the gasket 6 is arranged in the path of the tongue It for the latter to be received therein for iitting engagement therewith, to provide a leak proof connection between the casing or cover members I and 2, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figure 1, which illustrates that the marginal edge of the member 2 is received by the shoulder 3, and that feature coupled with-the tongue and groove connection prevents lateral and endwise displacement of the members with respect to y each other, when in closedposition.

Each of the casing or cover members I and 2 have welded or otherwise secured to the confronting flat inner surfaces thereof, a lining "plate, and the lining plate for the member I is `indicated by the reference numeral l, while the plate for the member 2 is indicated by vthe numeral 8. The lining plates are likewise of rectangular configuration in the form asshown, and are of course disposed lengthwise with respect to the members I and 2, and have their ends bent inwardly at right angles as at 9, while their side edges are looped upon themselves as at I 0, in hook formation, as best lshown in Figure 3, for cooperation with the rightA angle kbent ends 9 to provide what may be termed pockets for theY movement to open and closed positions as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In order to normally hold and urge the complemental sections to open position, it will be noted that the pivot pins I2 each have the coiled portions of coil springs I4 surrounding the same, and the ends of the springs I4 are respectively fixed to the links and the adjacent lugs thereof, by being disposed in openings therein, as will be apparent. The sections are held in closed position by latching means, which as best shown in Figure 6 includes members I5 in the form of ears xed to one of the sections and preferably midway between the ends of the sides of one of the casing members for disposal beyond the meeting edges of the sections, and the ears I5 have openings therein to receive pins IB providing keepers that are xed to the opposed casing member, it being obvious that the ears are made from resilient material, and are curved outwardly with respect to the casing members so that when the sections are moved to closed position, the ears will snap over the pins I6 and the latter will be directed within the openings of the ears.

I also provide spring arms II for holding the cigarettes within their pockets, and the spring arms Ahave one of their ends welded or otherwise secured to one of the right angle bent ends 9 of the lining plates, while the remaining portion of the spring arms are free and they are of a length to extend to the opposite bent end 9, so as to engage and hold the cigarettes within their pockets, regardless of the manner in which the case is held when opening the same. The spring arms are preferably fixed to the bent ends of the lining plates so. that they will be directed in opl posed directions, as best shown in Figure 2.

Flexible means such as a chain I8 may be connected to the case to facilitate carrying the same, and the chain is shown as having its ends secured in eyes I9 that are fixed to the casing or cover member I.

Pivotally mounted for disposal into and out of the case is a lighter of the usual friction wheel type, as shown, and secured to the barrel thereof is one end of a curved arm 2l while its opposite end is pivotally secured to a bracket 22 fixed to the member I. By that construction, it will be obvious that the latter can be moved to its innermost position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 for disposal within the case, and when it is desired to use the latter it is moved to its full line position of Figure 1.

From the above description and disclosure of the drawing it will be obvious that I have provided a waterproof cigarette case, that will retain its contents in a dry condition, under practically any circumstances, yet can be readily opened merely by releasing the latching members I5 from the keepers I6, which will cause the springs I4 to move the links on their pivots for separating the sections to open position, as clearly shown in Fgure 2. When it is desired to close the case, the sections are pressed together against the action of the springs I4 and the latching means will automatically operate and hold the sections in closed position.

In Figure 7 I have illustrated a modified form of `latching means, which includes companion right angled shaped spring latch arms 23 and 24, the arms 23 being secured to the cover member I, while'the arms 24 are secured to the cover member 2, and the free ends of the arms terminate in hooks 25 for latching engagement with l each other, as shown. The arms 24 preferably have a finger button 26 secured thereto to facilitate opening of the latching means of this form as will be apparent.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to beunderstood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A waterproof case comprising complemental sections made up of a pair of cover members each including a nat portion and curved marginal edge portions, lining plates secured to the confronting faces of the flat portions and having their edges shaped to provide with the plates cigarette receiving pockets, lugs formed on and extending outwardly at right angles from the plates, links having their ends pivotally connected to the outer ends of the lugs and cooperating therewith for connecting the sections together for relative movement to opened and closed positions, latch- ,1

ing means for holding the sections closed, springs surrounding the pivot means and connected to the links and lugs for urging and holding the sections to and in opened position, means about the margin of each section to provide a leak proof connection between the sections, and a handle for the case.

BRADY A. NEFF. 

